The Kentucky Board of Dentistry confers unrestricted licenses to practice dentistry based on three possible pathways:
- Successful completion of an approved regional clinical exam (Licensure by Examination),
- Qualifying experience within another U.S. licensing jurisdiction (Licensure by Credentials), and
- International training combined with U.S. postgraduate experience (Licensure by International Training).
The Board also issues limited licenses for dental students and faculty members who do not yet meet the criteria for an unrestricted license. All Kentucky dental licenses expire on December 31 of odd numbered years, and must be either renewed or retired by that date.
This page summarizes the process for the licensure of dentists in Kentucky as provided for in
201 KAR 8:533. Please use the following application to apply for all license types and pathways, except for charitable and specialty licenses:
General License Requirements
To be granted a license to practice general dentistry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, an applicant must:
- Understand, read, speak, and write the English language,
- Not be currently subject to disciplinary action that would prevent licensure,
- Submit to a nationwide criminal background check,
- Complete and pass the Board's jurisprudence exam,
- Hold a current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),
- Verify any previously or currently held dental licenses in other states or jurisdictions, and
- Successfully complete the National Board Dental Examination.
Specific License Requirements
Licensure by Examination
In addition to the General Licensure Requirements identified above, applicants for the Licensure by Examination pathway must meet the following requirements:
- Graduate with a DMD or DDS from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental school, and
- Successfully pass one of the following regional clinical examinations within the five years preceding the filing of the application: CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS, DLOSCE, or SRTA.
Licensure by Credentials
In addition to the General Licensure Requirements identified above, applicants for the Licensure by Credentials pathway must meet the following requirements:
- Graduate with a DMD or DDS from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved dental school;
- Successfully pass a state, regional, or national clinical examination used to determine clinical competency in any state or other U.S. licensing jurisdiction; and
- Actively practice dentistry in any state(s) or other U.S. licensing jurisdiction for at least five of the six years preceding the filing of the license application. Applicants should submit the Affidavit of Active Practice below and request a verification of licensure from any licensing board(s) that have issued a dental license to the applicant.
Licensure by International Training
In addition to the General Licensure Requirements identified above, applicants for the Licensure by International Training pathway must meet the following requirements:
- Pass the Test of English as a Foreign-Language (TOEFL) if English is not the applicant's primary language,
- Complete two years of post-graduate training in a CODA accredited general dentistry program, and
- Successfully pass one of the following regional clinical examinations within the five years preceding the filing of the application: CDCA-WREB-CITA, CRDTS, DLOSCE, or SRTA.
Student Limited Licensure
Student limited licensure is available for individuals who have been accepted into a postgraduate, residency, or fellowship program in Kentucky but who do not meet the eligibility requirements for full licensure. Individuals may apply for student limited licensure if they hold a dental degree from a non-CODA accredited institution, have not successfully completed the National Board examinations, or have not successfully completed one of the regional clinical examinations required for Licensure by Examination.
Student limited licenses expire on December 31 of odd numbered years or upon the licensee's exit from the program. If the program continues past the effective date of the license, the license must be renewed. Student limited license holders may only practice in conjunction with the dental school program in which they are enrolled.
Faculty Limited Licensure
Faculty limited licensure is available for individuals who have been appointed as faculty at a dental school in Kentucky but who do not meet the eligibility requirements for full licensure. Individuals may apply for faculty limited licensure if they hold a dental degree from a non-CODA accredited institution, have not successfully completed the National Board examinations, or have not successfully completed one of the regional clinical examinations required for Licensure by Examination.
Faculty limited licenses automatically expire on December 31 of odd numbered years or upon the licensee's exit from the program. Limited licenses must be renewed on the same schedule as unrestricted licenses and are subject to the same continuing education requirements. Faculty limited license holders may only practice in conjunction with programs of their employing dental school.
License Requirement Details
Background Check
State and federal criminal background check reports must be obtained through the IdentoGO Universal Enrollment Platform. Kentucky residents must use the live scan process at one of IdentoGO's nationwide enrollment centers. Non-Kentucky residents can either use this same process or submit a hard card (FBI FD-258 applicant fingerprint card) to IdentoGO for processing. When registering, please use the Board of Dentistry Service Code 27GJYG. Once registered, applicants can schedule fingerprinting appointments online or by phone.
IdentoGO Resources:
The Board will review the criminal history report online once it is ready. The applicant does not need to request it be sent to Kentucky.
Jurisprudence Examination
State law requires a jurisprudence examination to be completed by all new applicants for dental or dental hygiene licensure. This is an untimed, open book exam that covers the statutes and regulations governing dental practice in Kentucky. The following exam should be completed and submitted along with the other application materials. A score of 80% or above is considered passing.
Transcripts
A college transcript is required to document graduation from a dental program. A copy of a diploma is not acceptable. If applying for Licensure by Examination or Credentials, the applicant must have graduated with a DMD or DDS from a dental school approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Applicants should contact the registrar's office of the issuing school or university to request transcripts be sent directly to the Kentucky Board of Dentistry, not to the applicant. Official Transcripts should have the degree posted and a seal or registrar’s stamp affixed.
Exam Scores
Using information provided on the dental license application, the Board of Dentistry will look up and confirm all national board and clinical exam scores online. Applicants do not need to contact the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations or any regional clinical examination provider to have scores sent to Kentucky.
Verification of Licensure
An official verification of licensure is required to document good standing in any state or other U.S. licensing jurisdiction where the applicant has held a dental license. A copy of a license is not acceptable. Please note that each state or territory makes its own policies for processing license verification requests. In most cases, applicants should contact each agency that has issued a previously or currently held dental license to request a verification letter be sent directly to the Kentucky Board of Dentistry, not to the applicant. For states that only provide online verification, including AK, CO, ME, OH, and OR, we will verify the license directly.
Verification of Active Practice
To be eligible for Licensure by Credentials, a dentist must have been practicing in another state or U.S. licensing jurisdiction for at least five of the six years preceding the filing of the license application. To verify this requirement with the Board, applicants can either provide documentation of practice history or submit a notarized Affidavit of Active Practice.
License Retirement & Reinstatement
If you no longer desire to hold an active Kentucky license, you must notify the Board of your intent to retire your license by submitting the following form:
To reinstate a previously active Kentucky license, submit the following application: